I ATTEND planning committee meetings regularly and can say that the handling of the application for the 30 homes on the Grangers Lane/Rough Hill Drive greenfield site was disgraceful.

It was a blot on the normally good procedure I've become used to.

The objectors' arguments were strong. Only one was considered by three Conservatives - that of overbearingness onto Towbury Close properties.

The site is a one-in-seven hill, to be subjected to a major cut and fill operation to make it a plateau with an earthbank 18ft high, about nine or 10 metres from the boundary fence of the Towbury Close properties.

The new houses go on top.

Three Conservative councillors asked for an alternative plan. The chairman said this plan met the requirements of the planning regulations.

The deputy chairman moved to accept the recommendation, the chairman seconded and put the matter to the vote.

Only the Conservative ward member voted against it. The Labour ward member spoke against the plan in support of the campaigners.

Seven large brownfield sites are currently being developed and a further seven are being considered.

There are smaller sites becoming available all the time - 15 homes this week, 16 homes last week.

Do you know of your local open green spaces and have you challenged your ward councillor before the elections tomorrow to see if they are safe from building? You need to act now.

V KENDRICK

Chairman

Council for the Protection of Rural England

Redditch Group